Fischler Report: Bruins not playing at champion's pace

Claude Julien's Bruins are playing at a non-champion’s pace
but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Unlike the 2011
defending champion Blackhawks – playoff-missing-scary at this
time last year – there’s no fear in Boston about not
making the playoffs. But there’s still concern about the
fallout from the Tim Thomas’ White House boycott and the
manner in which it has affected the Bs on-ice play.

From time to time, statements must be made about team quality
and on Tuesday such a statement game will be played in Beantown.
It’s the supercharged Rangers visiting Boston and if ever
there was a clash-of-the-season, this is it. New York is playing as
if hellbent for the Stanley Cup Finals and another win will merely
underline that point.

By contrast, the match will be an occasion for Thomas & Co.
to once and for all demonstrate that the Champs still have the
goods.

We would always catch a couple of football games every season.
It’s a great venue and a terrific atmosphere for a game. I
was a part of the “Cold War in 2001,” between Michigan
and Michigan State which was outdoors at East Lansing. There were
about 75,000 fans watching and we played against John-Michael Liles
and Ryan Miller. It brings a player back to childhood memories of
playing pond hockey, but on a much larger scale.

* MICHIGAN AS A GREAT HOCKEY MARKET:

Detroit is the self-proclaimed Hockeytown. It’s great for
The Game to have an Original Six battle with the Leafs and Wings at
the Big House. With 110,000 fans coming – it’s going to
be interesting to see what the ratio is, who’s got the more
fans.

* ATMOSPHERE AT THE WINTER CLASSIC:

Ever since the league started doing this, the players have been
keeping a close eye to see what teams are going to be a part of it
the following season. It’s a wonderful all-around event.
It’d be nice to see if the league could pull off a few
outdoor games each season.

* WHAT IT WOULD MEAN FOR YOU TO PLAY IN THE CLASSIC:

The last outdoor game I was a part of was “The Cold
War.” It reminds you of childhood memories playing on the
pond. The sounds your skates make when you make a turn,
they’re all a little bit different. I remember in that Cold
War game that they still had the field goal posts up and we were
shooting pucks from the blue line, trying to hit the field goal
posts. These are memories that players have for the rest of their
lives and it’s a highlight that they never forget.

GOSSIP:

Whatever the Coyotes fate in Arizona, mum’s the word among
NHL executives. That’s also the case in Glendale where the
Yotes continue to amaze by staying within playoff contention. One
team leader, whose ears are close to the league corridors, simply
tells us, “I have not heard a thing about what’s going
on with the Coyotes.” Which could mean that everyone close to
the Phoenix scene is pledged to silence and that includes potential
city-suitors such as Quebec City and Seattle. Regarding Washington
State’s metropolis, word is that, yes, the city is studying
new arena plans but years will be required before it could be ready
for NHL use. Meanwhile, if Quebec does happen to wind up with the
Yotes, Le Colisee would be a reasonable venue until the proposed
NHL-friendly rink is complete. …

There’s plenty of talk about trades but several general
managers –including Champ Boston’s Peter Chiarelli
predicts that the days up until February 27 deadline will
be more calm than the deal-frenzied media would like. Chiarelli
says he has a “short list” of available players on
which he’s focused. (No names at the Café Discreet!)
… Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith, Penguins center Evgeni
Malkin and Blues left wing David Perron were named the NHL’s
Three Stars of the Week for the period ending February
12. Smith recorded four wins in four starts, posting a
league-best 0.74 goals-against average and .975 save percentage.
Malkin led all skaters with eight points (three goals, five
assists) and Perron led the NHL with six goals in four games.
…

There are many reasons why NHL clubs find it next to impossible
to win two Stanley Cups in a row. So, for the anti-Boston claque,
we offer this from reader Gus Victor of Connecticut: “One
must rewind the ‘Way-Back Machine’ some 39 years.
Following the B’s first title in 29 years – in 1970
– the team broke 39 individual and team league records the
following season. In the end though, it was Montreal’s rookie
goalie Ken Dryden and left wing Frank Mahovlich who stripped Bobby
Orr for a clinching breakaway goal in the finale.” Ergo: the
Bruins don’t have a chance!